South Asia

More confirmation of responsibility of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan a terrorist group allied with Al Qaeda. The suspect believed to have helped Shahzad in training. Three arrests in USA.

India plans to upgrade its infrastructure in order to attract new investments and lift out of poverty 828 million people. Many Indian roads are one lane with irregular surface. Power supplies are in short supply. Money that the government lacks is needed.

In Oporto, the last leg of his visit to Portugal, Benedict XVI emphasizes that every Christian must give witness to Christ in every sector of society. "How much time we have lost, how must work has been set back, on account of our lack of attention to this point! Everything is to be defined starting with Christ. " Dialogue with different religions and cultures to try to build the peaceful coexistence of peoples.

Judges grant the mother’s request for termination of the pregnancy reversing ruling of a the local court. They consider the child's birth will endanger the girl’s mental health and creates a social and economic problem for the family. Bishop Agnelo Gracias, President of the Commission on Family and Life for the Indian Bishops' Conference: "Justice should punish the criminal and not the innocent."

Epidemiologists and health care unions slam the government for not investing resources to stop the spreading of dengue fever before the rainy season. The mosquito-borne virus causes tens of thousands of victims across Asia and Africa each year, during and right after the rains.

Cordial meeting in Colombo between Archbishop Ranjith and Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha. Reiterated the need to send home the many refugees of the long civil war. Kantha confirms India’s staunch support and hopes a future settlement of the Tamil-.

Tomorrow the pilgrimage of 65 diocesan priests begins, headed by Mgr. Derek Fernandes. Bishop of Karwar: an occasion for "conversion and prayer." The trip is organized by the prelate, who raised money to cover expenses of participants. The return to India on the eve of Pentecost.

The archdiocese, the Missionaries of Charity and the faithful of the Indian metropolis are planning important celebrations to mark the centennial of the birth of the Blessed. A novena will be recited each evening, in each parish, for the canonisation of the Mother of the poorest of the poor.

In the Marian city, Benedict XVI speaks in the Chapel of the Apparitions about the bullet that wounded John Paul II. During vespers, he gave his thanks to all those who gave their life for Christ. “Thank you for your witness, often silent and certainly not easy; thank you for your fidelity to the Gospel and to the Church.”

Rushanara Ali, a 35 year-old Muslim, won the seat in the constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow in east London. The woman was born in Bangladesh and moved to England at the age of 7. Graduated at Oxford, she worked in the social outreach and published articles on political and social issues.

Demonstrators want to see Thailand’s deputy prime minister charged for his alleged role in the 10 April violence. The government responds saying protesters’ demands are not clear. A group of Asian NGOs sends a letter to the Thai Foreign Ministry, expressing their “concern” for the situation. An Indian activist urges the parties to respect international legal standards.

Following the devastating religious and ethnic violence of 2008, Catholics are building about 5,550 housing units in Kandhamal District. Some 700 Hindu families are among the beneficiaries. Local priests warn that sectarian tensions remain high. “We work for everyone, without hiding anything,” they say.